Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1887-07-15
THE GLORIES, DANGERS q SAFETY
OF THE REPUBLIC.
speech at Brudnor, Ohio, July a, 1851.
ny RFv. N. II, FAY.


tains, rs broad rivers, as beautiful scenery
and be washed by the grand waves of the
Atlantic and Pacific oceans; may boast
OF universities and seminaries Of learning,
OF perfection in the arts and sciences, OF
a brave and genero us people, but no other
however high its political uspira-
lions, can rise above the genius and spirit
OF the Declaration of Independence or
the Constitution Of the United States OF
America. Here the equal civil, social
and religious rights of all men are duly
recognized so that each man, woman and
child has an open Geld and fair play for
all the ability and skill with which the
God of nations and grace has endowed up
OF them. 1t is on this account that the
American people hoot with loud action
the annual return of the glorious Fourth +,
the birthday OF American independence,
and sing with one accord our national
hymns, "1 love thy rocks and rills, thy
woods and tempted hills," ground upon
which we tread consecratcd in good will
to all men. 1t must be admitted that in
a world like ours many battles will have
TO be fought and many victories won be-
fore all the benefits of our political insti-
tutions can be freely realized. In every
age the spirit of liberty has been COM
PEELED 10 confront the spirit of despotism.
Our Independence cost treasure and blood.
The blood hounds OF slavery have ever
been on the track OF free men and torn
the flesh and sucked the blood OF hun
dreds OF thousands. Despots rule the
world. 1t is only here and there that the
tree of liberty grove, and the tyrants axe
is ready TO cut it down. In our own
country the footprints OF tyranny are seen
all around.
Anarchy and consolidation, monopoly
and free booty, religious sects and politi-
cal parties, labor and capital, the rich and
the poor, form conflicting elements which
threaten the perpeluity of our institutions,
These dangers mus; be met and removed.
The statesmen who will either find or
make way for the removal OF these dan.
gers will be great benefactor and merit
the commendation of mankind. To us
these sectarlan and party strlfeS seem 10
portend political cyclones in which will
be played the games OF demons that tor
ment the human race. For ourselves as
we look upon the gallant ship OF state
tossed as a plaything amid these troubled
waters we must confess we can see but
one parsonage who has power TO say TO
the winds and waves "peace" be still. We
have already tried iron-clads, Columbians,
swamp angels and sharp shooters TO our
hearts content. Almost every loot of soil
is commingled with the dust of patriots,
and yet in these last days of the nine
teenth century the demon OF slavery
faunts the rebel flag in our faces and tells
us to our teeth that the rebel chef is not
a traitor, the ballot box is stuffed and des-
ecrated and the defenders of our country
are cheated and despoiled. Spectators
have bought up millions of acres of gov
ernment land that ought 10 have been
decided TO the soldiers of the Union army
Murderers and assassins stalk abroad un-
whipped OF justice. Court houses have
become the ampiiheaters Of legal glsdia-
tors who condemn the innocent and send
out criminals free. While the Christian
sects admit to fellowship, the unright-
eous strive TO be great nj the expense
OF goodness, deny to others the right oi
Christian burial, while the protestant dare
not meet his Catholic brother after dark
large cities for fear OF assassination
Crimes committed in the name of chris,
tianity which editors dare not publish fol
fear of dynamite or incendiary fires. Add
TO the above list constant influx of for
eigners that have no regard for God, mar
or the devil, and you have seethinl
mass OF moral pollution which no amount
of electricity can purify. To carry away
so much filth and foul stencil from th'
boundaries OF the republic requires the aiC
OF Almighty power combined with lnfinit,
mercy 10 whom then can we look, to carry
on this great work OF renovation wlicl
involves the salvation OF our belovet
country, but to the followers of him win
out OF love 10 man laid aside his crown
put off his royal robes, lef, his place II
that higher cour, which controls the des
tiny OF the universe, clothed himself i
the Disguise OF a servant, that lie nigh
proclaim glad tiding1 to the poor, ope
prison doors, cast out devils aud set lii
prisoners free who although Knocked an
scourged, spit upon, Went on u palhwn
of mercy aud suffering for Others throug
Gethsemane by the place OF skulls, mp ii
hill OF Calvary who continued Ills gran
march OF sacrifice on through the sepu
cher until lie had abolished death an
conquered hell, and ascendei 10 henyen 4;
power and the purity oi his love snalche
II wretched thief from the verge OF Il
botiemless pit. transformed him in
twinKling into an honest man, the noble
work OF God A malcll,ss conquerer,
glorious clieitain. No rival can ev
wear his crown for he sways uu
verral scepter of love and mercy. Ami
the inexpres.ible pangs Of the crucIfxion
st'l hear the echoes Of his voice prayil
for murderers. This spirit of the mast
a has conquered the hearts OF the people
all ages. II is sharper than any tw
, edged sword, it pierces the innermost &c
h and changes the passions Of hate and +
!. venge and fully solves the question III
4 shall we save the republic. Our Getty
/; burgs and Bunker Hills must be suppl
mented by Gelhsemanes and hills of Cl
). vary. There are greater heroes tn
4 those who face the cannon's mouth a
brave tho storm OF shot and she'll. TIL,
d are finer troops than those who march
the call Of The bugle. The power OF Chr